TY - JOUR

T1 - Predicting the dispersal of wild Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) from an existing frontier population—a numerical study

AU - Robins, Peter

AU - King, Jonathan

AU - Jenkins, Stuart

AU - Tita, Andrei

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Non-native populations of Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg 1793) are established around the United Kingdom (UK),with two genetically different stocks originating from separate introductions to the UK and France. In this study, we use a coupledbiophysical model to simulate Pacific oyster larval transport, in order to investigate the dispersal of the species from a knownpopulation near their northern limit on the west coast of the UK (in the Milford Haven Estuary). The model included a pelagic phase,simulating different swimming behaviours, and a settlement phase based on a hydrospatial substrate map. Following successfulsettlement elsewhere, subsequent releases simulated potential population spread over successive generations. Our results suggestthat, should there be sufficiently warm sea temperatures to allow reproduction, dispersal away from Milford Haven Estuary wouldmost be southeast ward towards the Bristol Channel; but dispersal north and west to Ireland is also possible, depending heavily onpelagic swimming behaviour. Seasonal modifications to circulation were less influential. Our study increases understanding offactors that contribute to oyster population spread, and suggests methods for improved management through numerical predictions.

AB - Non-native populations of Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg 1793) are established around the United Kingdom (UK),with two genetically different stocks originating from separate introductions to the UK and France. In this study, we use a coupledbiophysical model to simulate Pacific oyster larval transport, in order to investigate the dispersal of the species from a knownpopulation near their northern limit on the west coast of the UK (in the Milford Haven Estuary). The model included a pelagic phase,simulating different swimming behaviours, and a settlement phase based on a hydrospatial substrate map. Following successfulsettlement elsewhere, subsequent releases simulated potential population spread over successive generations. Our results suggestthat, should there be sufficiently warm sea temperatures to allow reproduction, dispersal away from Milford Haven Estuary wouldmost be southeast ward towards the Bristol Channel; but dispersal north and west to Ireland is also possible, depending heavily onpelagic swimming behaviour. Seasonal modifications to circulation were less influential. Our study increases understanding offactors that contribute to oyster population spread, and suggests methods for improved management through numerical predictions.

KW - Biophysical Model

KW - Non-native aquaculture species

KW - Larval transport

KW - Population Spread

KW - Irish Sea

U2 - 10.3391/ai.2017.12.2.01

DO - 10.3391/ai.2017.12.2.01

M3 - Article

VL - 12

SP - 117

EP - 131

JO - Aquatic Invasions

JF - Aquatic Invasions

SN - 1798-6540

IS - 2

ER -